Preparing Your Bakersfield Home To Sell
Preparing Your Bakersfield Home To Sell
You’ve most likely found your way to our blog because you’ve made the decision to sell your home, or you’re still in the process of considering selling your home and you’d like to prepare just in case. Maybe you’ve sold a home in the past, or maybe this is your first time. In either case, this isn't our first rodeo!
John and I have a combined 20 years of experience helping home owners prepare their home for the sale process. We’ve done this walk through many times, and over the years we have honed in our skills and gained some wisdom into how to help our clients receive the best possible return on their investment.
We’ve put together some handy tips and information on how to prep your home to sell and improve the chance of receiving the greatest return on your investment. Selling your home is a process, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. The Glentzer Group is here to help!
First Things First - Who’s Going To Represent Your Home?
As real estate agents, we are your advocates, coaches, encouragers and sometimes therapist! It’s incredibly important to connect with an agent who has your back. Start by finding a licensed real estate agent that you’re comfortable with and trust. Having someone in your corner to guide you and who has your best interest at heart makes all the difference in the world.
Aside from moral support and advocacy for the sale of your home, a good real estate agent will help you determine the best sale price, and give you insight on how to prepare your property to sell.
One way that we help our sellers decide on a sale price is to perform our own walk through of the home before listing. This gives us a chance to get to know you, the seller, and to prepare the competitive analysis that aids you in deciding the price you’d like to list your home.
Another thing John and I do, which is not always standard practice, is create an estimated net sheet. This is the projected amount you will receive at the close of escrow after paying the mortgage balance, commissions, escrow fees and any concessions you may have agreed to pay your buyer.
We think it’s best to provide this from the get go because it helps sellers see the bigger picture. We also provide a few different scenarios on this estimate net sheet because we know that selling a home is a process and details are subject to change. This sheet will give you a break down of what to expect.
In addition to the estimated net sheet, you’ll also receive a comparative market analysis to ensure that you’re listing the right price for your home.
If you don’t have an agent or aren’t sure how to go about the selling process, shoot us a message and we’ll be there to guide you.
Before You List Your Home
Alright, so you’re another step closer to listing your home. You’ve selected an amazing real estate agent and started the process. If you called the Glentzer Group, then you’ve received a home walk through where you were able to ask questions and receive face to face answers and advice, and you’ve also received an estimated net sheet.
After a walk through we like to leave our sellers with a bit of a honey-do list. This list will consist of things around the house that either need to be fixed or added in order to make your home look its very best for potential buyers.
Remember, what you do to prepare your home will determine the price you receive for your home.
Home Repairs
Anything on the property that needs minor fixes or is just flat out broken, will need to be repaired before your home is listed. Making repairs before you show your home goes a long way in presenting it in its best light.
More than presenting your home, making repairs ahead of time will also help prevent any stalls or hiccups taking place during inspections once you select a buyer. Getting ahead of anything that the inspector or appraiser might find is always a good idea.
Let’s keep in mind that while repairs are necessary, not every single repair is needed. There’s no point in spending money on unnecessary work, and a seasoned real estate agent will know what’s necessary and what’s not. If you’re questioning whether or not something need to be fixed before you list, just ask us and we will help you save some money where we can!
Some small things that are often overlooked are light bulbs and carbon monoxide detectors.
We encourage our sellers to replace any burned out light bulbs before inspections take place. If an inspector goes to turn on a light, but the light doesn’t work because the bulb is burned out, then the inspector might assume it is an electrical issue. It’s not worth the extra time and hassle when it can be avoided by simply replacing a few light bulbs.
In addition to the required smoke detectors, in the state of California it is also a requirement to have carbon monoxide detectors outside each sleeping area and in other areas depending upon how your home is built. Make sure the batteries are fresh and the detectors are working properly.
Curb Appeal
Adding some fresh flowers, clipping the lawn and washing the windows go a long way in amping up the curb appeal of your home. Think back to when you were searching for a home to buy and the things you noticed about the front of a home when you pulled up. It’s no different now for the potential buyers that will be looking at your home.
We encourage our buyers to walk outside and down their driveway. Turn around and face your home and look at it through the eyes of a buyer. Walk through the front door as if you were viewing the home to buy. Notice any nicks on the walls or stains on the carpet. These are the things you’ll want to remedy before listing your home.
Staging + Decluttering Your Home
Once you’ve spruced up the areas that need it, your home is ready to be staged. This is something we can help you with in giving tips and tricks that open up the floor plan and show off the best features of your home.
Decluttering of any unnecessary items is the best way to open up each room and give the buyer an opportunity to imagine themselves and their own favorite items in the home. Setting out some fresh flowers or plugging in a air freshener are also nice touches in creating an inviting atmosphere and inciting a welcoming atmosphere.
A showing can happen the same day the home is listed, so make sure your home is ready to be seen upon listing.
Escrow
Once the buyer and seller agree on terms and the contract is signed by both parties, escrow is opened. The buyer will then order the inspections.
Inspections to expect the buyer to conduct include: General home inspection, termite inspection, pool inspection, roof inspection and possibly more or less depending on your home. Have your home available for these inspections. These inspections are generally paid for by the buyer.
You can also expect for an appraiser sent by the buyer’s lender to view the property and assess it. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to make repairs ahead of time so that your property receives the highest possible appraisal. The appraisals are generally paid for by the buyer
Remember that when choosing a buyer and accepting an offer, everything is negotiable. Some buyers may ask for help with closing costs, negotiate the sale price, request for a one year home warranty, etc.
Each sale is different and the purpose of your real estate agent is to help guide you through this process and walk away with a positive experience and a return on your investment.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking of selling your home, remember to work with an agent you’re comfortable with. It can be hard to say goodbye to a home that you’ve raised a family in, spent holidays in and created priceless memories in, even if it is to move to a new home where you’ll make new memories.